Kevin Durant has always been more than a scorer. From his ventures in media with Boardroom to his investments in tech and sports franchises, the 36-year-old has built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most forward-thinking athletes.
Now, Durant is stepping into perhaps his most ambitious role yet: helping Paris Saint-Germain and its ownership group, Qatar Sports Investments, lead a $500 million investment into the NBA’s forthcoming European league.
Durant recently acquired a minority stake in PSG, restructuring his previous ties through Arctos Sports Partners to become a direct shareholder. This move wasn’t just about soccer. It was about positioning himself at the center of PSG’s multi-sport expansion, and specifically, its basketball ambitions.
Kevin Durant, who recently became a minority stakeholder of PSG, will play a huge role in their move to the NBA’s new European league launching in a few years.
PSG will pay a $500+ million expansion fee to join, and Durant will have a strong voice in decision-making processes. pic.twitter.com/UPwHRehWbu
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) September 25, 2025
PSG, already a global powerhouse in football, is now preparing to launch a basketball franchise that would compete in the NBA’s planned European league. Durant will serve as both an investor and consultant, advising on strategy, branding, and player development. PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised Durant’s involvement, calling him a “strategic partner who brings global perspective and credibility”.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has long teased the idea of a European league, but in recent months the plans have accelerated. The vision is a 16-team competition, blending NBA standards with FIBA rules. Twelve teams would be permanent fixtures, while four would qualify annually on merit. Crucially, these clubs would continue to compete in their domestic leagues but come together for a continental showdown, a format reminiscent of European football’s Champions League.
Silver has described the project as “measured in years, not months,” acknowledging the logistical hurdles of scheduling, travel, and coordination with existing leagues like the EuroLeague. Still, the NBA’s intent is clear: to cement basketball as a truly global sport with a transatlantic competitive structure.
Durant’s involvement is more than symbolic. His stature as a global icon gives the project credibility with players, fans, and sponsors alike. Having won his fourth Olympic gold medal in Paris last year, Durant has a personal connection to the city and its basketball culture.
There’s even speculation that Durant, whose NBA contract runs through 2027, could one day suit up for PSG’s basketball team in the European league’s inaugural season. While that remains hypothetical, the mere possibility underscores the ambition of the project.
PSG’s entry into basketball is part of a broader strategy to expand its brand beyond football. The club is already exploring new arena developments in Paris that could host both football and basketball events. With QSI’s financial muscle and Durant’s basketball expertise, PSG is positioning itself as the flagship franchise of NBA Europe.
Durant’s partnership with PSG comes at a time when other NBA stars are also exploring European ventures. LeBron James and Maverick Carter, for instance, are reportedly working on a separate league concept outside the NBA framework. The fact that two of the game’s biggest names are tied to European expansion efforts signals a seismic shift in basketball’s global landscape.
For the NBA, the European league could be the first step toward a true world championship format, pitting the NBA champion against a European champion in a global final. For Durant, it’s a chance to shape the future of the sport he’s dominated for nearly two decades.
